If you carry, you know the importance of having a suitable cover garment. A concealment shirt needs to fit correctly, hide your firearm and be able to clear quickly. It also depends on how you carry it: inside the waistband (IWB), on the side, or in a shoulder holster.
The perfect solution to this is a holster shirt. These compression shirts are designed to be worn under other clothing and are available in various styles for men and women.
Comfort
When choosing a concealed carry shirt, comfort should be a top priority. This includes comfort when wearing the shirt and the ability to draw from the holster without too much effort or struggle. This is especially important if you wear your gun on your belt or in an inside-the-waistband (IWB) or appendix holster.
Most holster shirts are compression t-shirts made from polyester and spandex, so they will be snug when worn. This is required to keep the holster secure against the body, so adjusting to this fit might take some time to get used to it.
Some shirts also feature anti-odor fabric, moisture-wicking technology, and padded neoprene to keep you cool, comfortable, and ready to respond when needed. Depending on your lifestyle, this type of shirt might help you conceal your CCW in the daily activities you enjoy most.
Concealment
Holster shirts for concealed carry provide unparalleled concealment for any self-defense weapon you carry. The sweater is form-fitting and slim, so it can easily hide a weapon inside while offering extra material to help mask the outline of the firearm and holster.
There are various types of holster shirts available today, including ambidextrous ones. Most feature a pocket on each side that can hold a pistol or spare magazine. Some also have extra pockets for ID/credit cards, cell phones, or an iPod. These shirts are made from micro poly/spandex and come in crew neck and V-neck for men and sleeveless for women.
When choosing a concealed carry shirt, you must consider where you will be using it and what type of gun you want to use. You will also need to decide whether you want a higher retention level for your weapon (which will increase the difficulty of grabbing it from the holster without your cooperation) or if the draw speed is more important.
Style
The short sleeve CAMS Holster shirt looks like an ordinary T-shirt but has a padded side body pocket for your concealed firearm. Designed to fit most small handguns, the dual side pockets can also hold a magazine or other accessories. The inside of the holster pocket has mesh to break up the print of your gun, and the fabric has odor control and 4mm Ultralite Ortholite padding for comfort.
Tru-Spec’s Concealed Carry Shirt is another choice for concealed carry that conceals a gun without looking bulky or awkward. It is designed for a cross-draw and can accommodate most small to medium handguns. The dual side pockets can hold magazines, electronics, and other accessories, and the holster is built for right or left-handed shooters.
It’s essential to remember that the holster shirt and carry method you choose are personal choices only you can make for yourself. But by finding a solution that works for you, you can enjoy the convenience and security of concealed carry with a hidden and inconspicuous style.
Fit
A holster shirt should conceal the firearm and allow a quick draw. It must fit the wearer’s everyday clothing and not stand out like a tactical vest or gun belt. This means it should fit the person’s body shape and size and how they plan to carry their handgun – inside the waistband (IWB), outside the waistband (OWB), or shoulder holster.
Those who prefer IWB or OWB should consider a short sleeve CAMS holster shirt from 5.11. This garment resembles an ordinary t-shirt but has a padded side body pocket for a small handgun, extra magazines, or other accessories. An integrated shoulder yoke evenly distributes firearm weight to maintain accessibility and mobility, while moisture-wicking technology and a padded neoprene inner layer keep the wearer cool and comfortable.
Another option is a black or white polyester/spandex holster shirt from AC Concealment. These compression shirts have pockets for one or two handguns and are designed to be worn snugly, but they also have elastic holsters on both sides to make them ambidextrous.
